naiad Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun submerged aquatic plant having narrow leaves and small flowers; of fresh or brackish water
water nymph.
noun (Greek mythology) a nymph of lakes and springs and rivers and fountains

L. naias, -adis, naïs, -idis, a water nymph, Gr , , fr. to flow: cf. F. naïade. Cf. Naid.

(Myth.) A water nymph; one of the lower female divinities, fabled to preside over some body of fresh water, as a lake, river, brook, or fountain.
(Zoöl.) Any species of a tribe (Naiades) of freshwater bivalves, including Unio, Anodonta, and numerous allied genera; a river mussel.
(Zoöl) One of a group of butterflies. See Nymph.
(Bot.) Any plant of the order Naiadaceæ, such as eelgrass, pondweed, etc.